Not releasing a new album in 2003 did not prevent U2 from placing in several categories of the annual Hot Press Readers' Poll. Among Irish acts, U2 rated fifth in the group category, third in the male category (Bono), fourth in the live category, second in the songwriter category (Bono) and second in the musician category (The Edge).

Jim Sheridan's film "In America," featuring a theme co-written by Bono, ranked fifth in the favorite film category. "Making of Elevation" and "Story of One" narrator Tom Dunne was selected as favorite DJ for his show on Today FM. 2FM's Dave Fanning placed third. U2 hero and collaborator Johnny Cash was chosen favorite music video for "Hurt" and favorite international folk/trad/specialist.

Hot Press has high hopes for the 2004 poll, reporting, "With Juliet Turner, The Corrs, U2, Divine Comedy, Ash and a bunch of other heavy hitters returning to the fray, 2004 promises to be an even more exciting – and competitive! – year in Irish music."